AFP: Japanese cafe chain sues over low guide rating
A Japanese cafe operator has sued a publisher after it got the lowest mark in a critic's ranking of popular chains, officials said Friday. Chat Noir, which operates 175 Caffe Veloce outlets in Japan, sued major publisher Kodansha, demanding 11 million yen in damages and public advertising of an apology, a Kodansha official said. The October 2007 issue of "The Weekend for Adults" monthly magazine by Kodansha ranked 11 popular cafe chains in an undercover survey, checking them on drinks, food, atmosphere and convenience. Caffe Veloce -- known for signboards with wine-red frames or with the catchphrase, "Good coffee brewed here" -- came last, with the accompanying article saying it was sheer luck whether the coffee was any good. The chain argued that the ranking was based on the subjective judgement of one writer and hurt its brand image, according to media reports...The magazine's editorial office hit back at the chain, saying in a statement it "not only restricts the freedom to criticise but is also disadvantageous for consumers"...Foreign-origin cafes occupied the top three places with Seattle-based Tully's coming first, followed by Italy's Segafredo Zanetti and then Starbucks...more...
The critic's opinion sounds about right. Most Velocce customers seem to use the place as a rest spot with the coffee just the price of admittance. I can't believe they do much takeaway business compared with the other chains.
